Last week alone, the Biden administration has made at least five blunders that will set back prospects for Middle East peace. These unforced errors will only serve to isolate our traditional allies in the region (Israel and the Gulf States) and enable Iran and its proxies and the Palestinian Authority.
Read MoreTag: Israel
35 Years Ago: Unsolved Gander Aircrash Kills 248 101st Airborne Soldiers, 8 Crew
Thirty-five years years later, questions remain how Arrow Air 1285 crashed into a wooded hillside in Gander, Newfoundland, with 248 soldiers from 101st Airborne Division for the final leg of their journey Cairo to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, killing all the soldiers and the eight crewmembers the morning of Dec. 12,…
Read MoreIran’s Supreme Leader Vows Revenge Over Slain Scientist
Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday demanded the “definitive punishment” of those behind the killing of a scientist who led Tehran’s disbanded military nuclear program, as the Islamic Republic blamed Israel for a slaying that has raised fears of reignited tensions across the Middle East.
After years of being in the shadows, the image of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh suddenly was to be seen everywhere in Iranian media, as his widow spoke on state television and officials publicly demanded revenge on Israel for the scientist’s slaying.
Read MoreIran Scientist Linked to Military Nuclear Program Killed
An Iranian scientist named by the West as the leader of the Islamic Republic’s disbanded military nuclear program was killed Friday in an ambush on the outskirts of Tehran, authorities said.
Iran’s foreign minister alleged the killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh bore “serious indications” of an Israeli role, but did not elaborate. Israel, long suspected of killing several Iranian nuclear scientists a decade ago, declined to immediately comment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once told the public to “remember that name” when talking about Fakhrizadeh.
Read MorePompeo Is First Top U.S. Diplomat to Visit an Israeli Settlement
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday became the first top American diplomat to visit an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank as the State Department in a major policy shift announced that products from the settlements can be labeled “Made in Israel.”
The two moves reflected the Trump administration’s acceptance of Israeli settlements, which the Palestinians and most of the international community view as a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace.
Read MoreCommentary: A Biden–Harris Administration Would Unravel Middle East Peace
Stormy weather might be on the Middle East’s horizon. Following the U.S. presidential election, Iran offered a mafia-style protection deal to countries that have normalized relations with Israel: they must abandon Israel and align with Iran, or face the consequences. A Biden–Harris administration would likely undermine much of the progress towards Middle East peace that the Trump administration has made. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) have several policy positions that would jeopardize the progress towards Middle East peace brokered by the Trump administration.
Read MorePrayer at Tomb of the Patriarchs for Trump’s Success
Hours before the US election, the heads of local authorities in Judea and Samaria will hold a prayer service at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron for the success of incumbent President Donald Trump in the election.
The head of the Mount Hebron Council, Yohai Damari, explained this morning, Sunday, that the prayer stems first and foremost from gratitude to Trump for his efforts on behalf of the Land of Israel.
Read MoreTrump: Sudan to Join UAE, Bahrain in Recognizing Israel
President Donald Trump announced Friday that Sudan will start to normalize ties with Israel, making it the third Arab state to do so as part of U.S.-brokered deals in the run-up to Election Day.
The announcement came after the North African nation agreed to put $335 million in an escrow account to be used to compensate American victims of terror attacks. The attacks include the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania by the al-Qaida network while its leader, Osama bin Laden, was living in Sudan. In exchange, Trump notified Congress on Friday of his intent to remove Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Read MoreCommentary: The Obama-Biden ‘Ostracize and Punish Israel’ Legacy Will Return if Democrats Win the White House in 2020
Joe Biden portrays himself as Israel’s ally and a friend of the Jewish people. Obama did the same when he was running for president and then he played bait and switch. It’s time voters wizen up because Biden vows to repeat the Obama-Biden playbook on Israel and the Middle East. It’s even worse: today’s Democrat party leadership has taken a major turn to the left. They are no friend of the Jewish people here or in Israel.
A quick history lesson is instructive: In 2008, Candidate Obama pledged Israel’s security was “sacrosanct” and “non-negotiable” with “secure recognized defensible borders,” where Jerusalem would “remain” Israel’s capital and “must remain undivided.” Fast forward, months later in 2009, then President Obama wasted no time abandoning his empty words. Embarking on their true agenda, Obama-Biden declared a “serious problem” existed precisely because there was no daylight between the United States and Israel. Obama-Biden was determined to change that and, off to the races, they didn’t look back.
Read MoreSigning of Abraham Accords Is ‘Paradigm Shift’ for Israel-Gulf Relations, Sen. Blackburn Says
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) applauded the signing Tuesday of the Abraham Accords, calling it a “paradigm shift.”
Blackburn on Tuesday tweeted, “Today, we are witnessing history at the @WhiteHouse. 27 years since the signing of the Oslo Accords, Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain have achieved monumental peace. This deal brings great potential and opportunity to the region and is a paradigm shift in Israel-Gulf state relations.”
Read MoreBahrain Becomes Latest Arab Nation to Recognize Israel
Bahrain has become the latest Arab nation to agree to normalize ties with Israel as part of a broader diplomatic push by President Donald Trump and his administration to fully integrate the Jewish state into the Middle East.
Trump announced the agreement on Friday, following a three-way phone call he had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The three leaders also issued a brief six-paragraph joint statement, attesting to the deal.
Read MoreUAE Formally Ends Israel Boycott Amid US-Brokered Deal
The ruler of the United Arab Emirates issued a decree Saturday formally ending the country’s boycott of Israel amid a U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations between the two countries.
The announcement now allows trade and commerce between the UAE, home to oil-rich Abu Dhabi and skyscraper-studded Dubai, and Israel, home to a thriving diamond trade, pharmaceutical companies and tech start-ups.
Read MoreTrump Says UAE to Open Diplomatic Ties with Israel
The United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state, President Donald Trump said Thursday.
The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties to Israel.
Read MoreFrance, Israel Shut Down All Non-Essential Stores, Restaurants, Cafes
France and Israel shut down all non-essential stores, restaurants and cafes Saturday to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from spreading.
Read MoreRashida Tlaib Wears T-Shirt That Erases Israel from the Map
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) recently posted a picture of herself wearing a T-shirt that erases Israel from the map.
Read MoreTlaib Headlined Event Alongside Speaker Who Has Expressed Support for Hamas
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) headlined an event Saturday put on by the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), a group whose national policy director has expressed support for Hamas.
Read MoreTrump Unveils Mideast Peace Plan
JERUSALEM – U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Tuesday, nearly six years after talks between the two sides broke down.
Read MoreApple’s Digital Assistant Siri Told Users Israel’s Reuvin Rivlin Was the ‘President of the Zionist Occupation State’
by Chris White Apple’s voice-controlled assistant told the big tech company’s customers Saturday night that Israel President Reuvin Rivlin is the leader of the Zionist occupation state.” Someone changed Rivlin’s Wikipedia page to describe Israel’s president as the “main child of Israel,” Israel’s i24 News reported Saturday. Apple and Google often rely…
Read MorePresident Trump Calls Omar and Tlaib Anti-Semites During Evangelical Rally
President Donald Trump condemned the progressive “squad” Friday for their anti-Semitism and support of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement.
Read MoreIsraeli PM Netanyahu Indicted on Bribery, Fraud and Breach of Trust Charges
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has led the country for 13 years, was indicted by the country’s top prosecutor on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust on Thursday.
Read MoreTlaib Uses Botched Israel Trip for Fundraising
Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib used her failed trip to Israel for fundraising purposes and said she was “banned from traveling to Israel and Palestine,” in an email Democracy for America sent.
Read MoreTrump Jumps on Reports of Israel Banning Reps. Omar And Tlaib: ‘They Hate … All Jewish People’
President Donald Trump weighed in Thursday after reports that Israel planned to ban Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan from entering the country for a trip scheduled to start Friday.
Read MoreIsrael, US Test Missile Defense in Alaska
U.S. and Israeli officials say tests in Alaska of a jointly developed missile defense system have been successful.
Read MoreNetanyahu Unveils ‘Trump Heights’ In Israel’s Golan Heights
by Molly Prince Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his administration gathered in the Golan Heights on Sunday to unveil a sign for the community, newly named “Ramat Trump,” which translates into “Trump Heights.” “We are proud to have the opportunity to establish a new community,” Netanyahu said during…
Read MoreButtigieg Tells Jewish Leaders That US Should ‘Guide’ Israel Away from ‘Harmful’ Policies
by Matthew M. Miller Democratic 2020 candidate and mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg told a group of Jewish leaders, Thursday that the U.S. should “guide” Israel away from “harmful” policies. “The right approach comes about when you have an ally or a friend [who] is taking steps…
Read MorePompeo Won’t Publicly Back Two-State Solution for Israel, Palestinians
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declined on Wednesday to publicly say the Trump administration still backs a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. “We are now working with many parties to share what our vision (is) as to how to solve this problem,” Pompeo told…
Read MoreCommentary: Trump Follows in the Footsteps of King Cyrus
by Larry Greenfield Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, found inspiration in the writings of Xenophon, a contemporary of Socrates, who chronicled the life of the great Persian, King Cyrus, whose vast empire was known for toleration of religious minorities and for demanding no single state religion.…
Read MoreOhio Dentist Says She Will Torture ‘Zionist Patients’ With ‘Pleasure,’ Expresses Support for Hamas
A Cincinnati, Ohio dentist was recently exposed for suggesting that she would torture “Zionist patients” and repeatedly expressed support for Hamas, a terrorist organization. According to her LinkedIn page, Nessreen Zayed is a dentist in the Cincinnati area, though it’s unclear where she’s currently employed. @AnarchoZionist @onetripp I loved the…
Read MoreTop Ranking Democrat Slams Ilhan Omar’s Comments During AIPAC Speech: ‘I Stand With Israel, Proudly and Unapologetically’
by Molly Prince House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer defended the American-Israeli alliance on Sunday, taking aim at Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar for her repeated anti-Semitic and anti-Israel statements. “I am an American who believes passionately in the idea of Israel, in the State of Israel, and in the…
Read MoreOmar Erupts After Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Calls Her Out
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Twitter Tuesday after he indirectly singled her out during his televised address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference in Washington. Omar faced significant backlash for her February criticisms of AIPAC when she said…
Read MoreTrump: US Recognizes Israeli Sovereignty Over Golan Heights
President Donald Trump said Thursday the United States is recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, the Syrian territory it captured in 1967’s Six-Day War and has controlled since then. Trump, in a Twitter comment, said the Golan Heights “is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of…
Read MoreIsraeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to be Indicted
by Joshua Gill Benjamin Netanyahu is set to become the first sitting prime minister in Israel’s history to be indicted, according to Israel’s attorney general’s Thursday announcement. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said Thursday that his office will charge Netanyahu with one count of bribery and two counts of breach…
Read MoreSeven Things to Know About Rep. Ilhan Omar
by Rachel del Guidice President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Rep. Ilhan Omar should resign over anti-Semitic remarks the freshman lawmaker has made. “I think she should either resign from Congress, or she should certainly resign from the House Foreign Affairs Committee,” Trump said of the Minnesota Democrat during…
Read MoreIlhan Omar Snaps at CNN Reporter: ‘Are You Serious?’
by Peter Hasson Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar on Wednesday snapped at a CNN reporter who tried to ask her about the fallout over her recent comments blaming Jewish political donors for Republicans’ support of Israel. President Trump on Tuesday said Omar should step down either from Congress or…
Read MoreHezbollah Sympathizer Attended a Private Dinner for Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) hosted a private dinner in Detroit after being sworn into Congress last week, and among her guests was a man who has expressed praise for the leaders and members of Hezbollah, a terrorist organization. “I was honored to be at Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib swearing in ceremony…
Read MoreFlorida Commissioner Under Fire for Calling Michigan Congresswoman a ‘Hamas Loving Anti-Semite’ Who Might ‘Blow Up Capitol Hill’
by Joshua Gill Florida officials and Muslim advocacy groups have lambasted a city commissioner for calling Rep. Rashida Tlaib a “Hamas-loving anti-Semite” who might “blow up Capitol Hill.” Hallandale Beach Commissioner Annabelle Lima-Taub made the comments in a Jan. 8 Facebook post, announcing that she had signed an online…
Read MoreCommentary: Anti-Semitism Just Gained a New Foothold in Congress
by Joel Griffith In 1948, the Jewish people secured sovereignty over their ancestral homeland for the first time in nearly 2,000 years. Once again, they could thrive—religiously, economically, culturally—in the home their ancestors were forced to flee. But more than 70 years after the rebirth of the Jewish nation,…
Read MoreCommentary: She Opposes Israel at Every Turn And Now She’s Going to Congress
by David Harsanyi Ilhan Omar, one of the first two Muslim women to be elected to Congress, is a new kind of politician. She’s telegenic, ideologically progressive, widely celebrated by a media that’s obsessed with identity politics. She’s the kind of politician who can openly side with Hamas against…
Read MoreOhio Senate Asked to Support Israel as BDS Movement Gains Steam on Campus
The Ohio State Senate is being asked to pass a resolution that would put Ohio on record in support of the nation of Israel and against those seeking to weaken it through the boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement. The so-called BDS movement is strong on college campuses across the United…
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